John Eustace has thrown his vote behind Sam Szmodics after the Blackburn Rovers star was nominated for Championship Player of the Season.

Rovers' talisman has netted 29 goals in all competitions and leads the league's scoring charts with 23. If he manages to reach 30 goals before the season ends, he will be the first player to reach that milestone since Alan Shearer in 1996.

Adam Armstrong came closest to matching that in the last 28 years but fell shy by a solitary goal in 2020/21, scoring 28 in the league and one in the EFL Cup.

It was little surprise that Szmodics made the three-man shortlist for the EFL's main prize, alongside Crysencio Summerville and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. 

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Eustace believes Szmodics is the worthy winner of that prize and heaped praise on his top-scorer.
"He's a very intelligent footballer, he's a top player at this level," Eustace said.

"I think the most impressive thing I've seen from Sam is his work rate without the ball. The work he does for the team itself is sensational really.

"To get nearly 30 goals which, touch wood, he gets past that record before the end of the season, is phenomenal. He deserves every success he gets.

"It's not easy to score goals, that's why not many people can do it. To score nearly 30 goals, it's sensational. That comes down to hard work on the training field, unselfish running and good team-mates who have created those goals for him.

"I think he should win the award, definitely. I don't see anyone else who should get it apart from Sammie."

Szmodics has not had the easiest path to the top of the Championship. He was still in League Two with Colchester United at 24 before moving to Bristol City. He made just one appearance at Ashton Gate before a loan to Peterborough United which resulted in a permanent move.

Not every Championship club would've gambled on a relegation season where Szmodics scored seven times. But Rovers' due diligence and Szmodics' hard work have ensured that the move to Ewood Park has been a huge success.

"It shows that if you never give up, you stay positive and work hard, you'll get your results," Eustace added.

"Sam has worked his way up through the leagues and now he's reaping the rewards.

"He was fantastic for Ireland in the two games he played last week. He certainly leads by example here. I'm sure he'll go on and have another big season next season, hopefully with us.